ELSA
ELSAs are Emotional Literacy Support Assistants. They are Teaching Assistants who have received specific, additional training from Educational Psychologists from whom they receive on going supervision. The training develops understanding of children and young people’s emotional development as well as strategies to support particular issues.
ELSA was designed to build the capacity of schools to support the emotional needs of their pupils from within their own resources. It recognises that children learn better and are happier in school if their emotional needs are also addressed.
ELSA is highly valuable in supporting social, emotional and mental health (SEMH) challenges within school. ELSA training and supervision supports the development of a skilled member of staff who can approach children and young people’s emotional needs appropriately.
ELSA time can be used in a number of ways to meet the needs of individuals in the school. ELSAs run either small groups or work individually with a child or young person around particular issues and developing specific skills.
ELSA support is especially relevant in light of mental health being made a priority by the government.
ELSA Activities
